Method and apparatus for nailing a structural frame

ABSTRACT

A portable jig on which is positioned a plurality of frame elements in an assembled condition with joints and which has side edges on each which a track is supported. A carriage is arranged on each of the tracks for guided movement thereon and a nailing device is supported on the carriage for positioning in nailing relationship with each of the joints in the associated edge portion of the assembled elements as the carriage is advanced on the track. The nailing device is actuated by an operator in each nailing position to nail together the frame elements in a permanent form.

United States Patent Inventor James M. Stanley Vicksburg, Miss.

Appl. No. 12,399

Filed Feb. 18, 1970 Patented Dec. 28, 1971 Assignee Multi-Systems, Inc.

Vicksburg, Miss.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR NAILING A 5,6,7,99,100,110,111,152,153;29/432,200J; 144/288 C; 269/55, 321 F; IOO/DlG. 13

Primary ExaminerGranvi1le Y. Custer, Jr. Attorney-Ernest B. Lipscomb ABSTRACT: A portable jig on which is positioned a plurality of frame elements in an assembled condition with joints and which has side edges on each which a track is supported, A carriage is arranged on each of the tracks for guided movement thereon and a nailing device is supported on the carriage for positioning in nailing relationship with each of the joints in the associated edge portion of the assembled elements as the carriage is advanced on the track. The nailing device is actuated by an operator in each nailing position to nail together the frame elements in a permanent form.

PATENTED DEC28 I971 SHEET 2 BF 3 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR NAILING A STRUCTURAL FRAME This invention relates to the fabrication of building structures and more particularly to a method and apparatus for nailing together prepositioned elements to form a structural frame.

With the scarcity of labor today in the building industry as well as the high cost of labor and materials, a definite trend towards fabricating building sections using factory type production techniques has developed. Such preassembled or prefabricated building sections may then be transported to the point of use and connected together on the job site to form a completed or partially completed structure. While considerable progress has been made in reducing the cost of such sections using such techniques from both the standpoint of time and labor involved, machinery for the manufacture of such sections is expensive, requires the use of skilled labor and is deficient somewhat in the degree of versatility and adaptability to the range of sizes and types for such prefabricated sections required today. Of even greater significance, is the transportation factor as such prefabricated sections are generally manufactured at one or only a few locations and must be shipped to the various points of use adding to the cost and frequently causing construction delays.

Accordingly, a primary object of this invention is to provide a new and novel method and apparatus for nailing together an assembly of structural elements to form a prefabricated building frame or section.

Another object of this invention is to provide a new and novel apparatus for fabricating building sections at a high production rate on the job site.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a new and novel apparatus for fabricating building sections which is readily portable so as to be easily moved from job site to job site in a simple and easy manner.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a new and novel jig for constructing building sections such as wall sections, flat roof sections, floor sections and roof trusses which, while requiring the use of relatively unskilled labor, permits the production of such sections at a rapid rate, at a low cost and with a high degree of accuracy.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a new and novel jig for nailing together an assembly of frame elements into building sections which is simple and lightweight in construction, which utilizes a minimum amount of readily available materials and which is readily adjustable so as to permit the fabrication of a wide variety of types and sizes of such building sections.

This invention further contemplates the provision of a new and novel wheeled carriage for guided movement on a track which pennits an operator to accurately drive nails with a nailing device supported thereon into the joints of frame elements assembled on an associated jig constructed in accordance with the invention.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In general, the objects of this invention and other related objects are accomplished by providing a substantially rectangular support platform having a pair of side edges and having an upper surface on which is provided means for positioning the structural elements of a frame in an assembled condition with joints for nailing. Track means are supported on the platform adjacent the side edges and in substantially parallel relationship therewith, each of the tracks being arranged to guidably support a carriage for movement adjacent the associated edge portion of the assembled elements. A nailing device is supported on each carriage for positioning in nailing relationship with the joints in the associated edge portion of the assembled elements by movement of the carriage on the track and the nailing device is arranged to be actuated by an operator to nail the frame elementstogether in a unitary, permanent form.

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a nailing apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. I together with a plurality of building elements prior to assembly;

FIG. 3 is a plan view similar to FIG. 1 showing the elements of FIG. 2 in an assembled condition on the apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along 55 of FIG. 3 in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view partially broken away of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 the apparatus of the invention which includes a jig or support platform designated generally by the letter P. The support platform P is preferably of substantially rectangular shape and includes longitudinally extending frame members ll, 12 arranged in spaced parallel relationship to define side edges l3, 14 respectively and transversely extending frame members 16, 17 defining end edges l8, 19 respectively. Suitable bracing members 21-23 are also provided on the support platform P preferably arranged in angularly disposed relationship together with other transversely extending suitable bracing members 24, 26 for adding to the rigidity and strength of the support platform P. The frame members and bracing members of the support platform P are thus arranged to provide a substantially flat structure having an upper surface 27.

In the preferred embodiment, wheel means are provided for supporting the support platform P in a substantially horizontal position to pemrit movement of the platform P to a selected location for use. More specifically, as shown best in FIGS. 1, 2, the platform P is supported on a truck bed 28 which is provided with wheels 29 mounted on axles 30, 31 in the conventional manner. In order to permit the platform P to be moved readily to the selected location, a hitch 32 is preferably secured to the frame member 17 at one end of the platform P for connection in a conventional manner to a suitable pulling vehicle such as a truck or the like.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the longitudinally extending frame members ll, 12 are preferably provided with a selected crosssectional shape obtained by utilizing a member 33 of the I- beam type having upper and lower portions 34, 3S and an angle member 36, L-shaped in cross section, having leg portions 37, 38, the member 36 being connected to the member 33 by means of webs 39 to define therebetween a row of slots 41.

Means are provided on the upper surface 27 of the support platform P for positioning the structural elements of a frame in an assembled condition with joints for nailing. In the illustrated embodiment, the apparatus of the invention is arranged for fabrication of structural frames such as the wall section of residential building or the like which is designated generally in FIG. 3 by the letter F. The frame F includes a pair of longitudinally extending plate members 42, 43 and a plurality of transversely extending stud member 44 which in assembled condition on the platform surface 27 form joints 46 for nailing with the apparatus of the invention.

The positioning means on the platfonn P include a row of pairs of upstanding brackets 47 arranged in uniformly spaced relationship adjacent each of the platform side edges 13, 14 on the upper surface of the portions 34 of members 33 as shown best in FIG. 4. The spacing between each pair of brackets 47 is selected so as to position the stud member 44 in a conventionally spaced relationship such as 12 inches or 16 inches between centers. If desired, the brackets 47 may be omitted and the upper surface 27 of the platform P adjacent the side edges 13, 14 and end edges 18, 19 provided with suitably spaced painted strips for alignment of the various frame elements into the assembled condition.

The positioning means also includes clamping members 49 preferably associated in pairs for engagement with each of the frame members ll, 12 and for sliding engagement with a selected slot 41. The clamping member 49 includes a lower portion 51 for sliding engagement with the slot 41 and an upper portion 52 for engagement with an end of the plate members 42, 43. Each clamping device is arranged to be releasably retained in a selected position within its associated slot by suitable means such as a bolt 45. As can be seen in FIGS. 3, 4, the stud members 44 are positioned within the brackets 47 and the plate members 43 clamped between an associated pair of clamping members 49 so that side edge portions of the frame F containing the joints 46 are positioned adjacent the platform side edges 11, 12.

The apparatus of the invention also includes track means supported on the platform P adjacent each of the side edges 13, 14 in substantially parallel relationship therewith. More specifically, a pair of tracks 53, each of which is substantially U-shaped in cross section, is supported in parallel relationship on longitudinally spaced brackets 56 suitably mounted by welding, bolting or the like to the leg 37 of member 36 on op posite sides of the platform P and in substantially parallel relationship with the associated platform side edge 11, 12. The tracks 53 preferably extend throughout the length of the platform P and outwardly therefrom at one end to facilitate the use of the apparatus of the invention. As shown best in F168. and 6, a carriage designated generally by the letter C, is provided on each side of the platform P which is guidably supported on the tracks 53 for movement adjacent the associated platform side edge and edge portion of the assembled element or frame F. it should be understood that although, in the illustrated embodiment, the tracks 53 are shown supported on the side edges 13, 14 of the platform P, it is within the scope of the invention to mount tracks 53 on the end edges 18, 19 for similarly nailing together structural frame elements.

Each of the carriage C, which are substantially identical in construction, include a baseplate 61 on the underside of which are arranged a plurality of free rotatable wheels 62 suitably mounted on brackets. in the illustrated embodiment, the wheels 62, which are four in number, are arranged in spaced pairs so as to be accommodated in tracks 53 for guided rolling movement of the carriage C along the associated side edge of the platform P. The carriage C also includes an upstanding support bracket which, in the illustrated embodiment, includes spaced U-shaped bracket members 64, 66 supported on the baseplate 61. Bearing pedestals 67, 68 are suitably mounted on the bracket members 64, 66 respectively and are arranged to rotatably support a transversely extending, freely rotatable shaft 69 at each end.

The carriage C also includes vertically movable support plate 70 for supporting a nailing device such as a nailing gun 71 of conventional construction having a nail ejecting portion 72. As will be explained hereinafter, the nailing gun 71 is of the fluid pressure-operated type or may be electrically operated, if desired, and is arranged to be connected to an associated source of fluid pressure by flexible conduit means or a hose 73. The support plate 70 is mounted adjacent one end on the shaft 69 by means such as a bolt 74 for pivotal movement from an uppermost position as shown in FIG. 6 downwardly in the direction of the arrow 1. In the uppermost position of FIG. 6, the support plate 70 is arranged to engage stop means provided on the carriage C by mounting on the baseplate 61. in the illustrated embodiment the stop means includes an upstanding end plate 75 arranged in spaced relationship with the members 64, 66 and provided with an inwardly extending edge portion 750 arranged to engage the outer end of the support plate 70 in the uppermost position.

Means are provided on the carriage C for yieldingly urging the support plate 70 vertically upward into the uppermost position of FIG. 6 in engagement with the end plate edge portion 750. More specifically, a pair of plungers 76, 77 having heads 77a are guidably mounted for vertically reciprocating movement within sleeve members 78, 79 respectively suitably secured to the baseplate 61. Springs 81, 82 are positioned around the shanks of the plungers 76, 77 between the sleeve members 78, 79 and the plunger heads 77a so as to yieldingly urge the plungers 76, 77 vertically upward with the heads 77a in engagement with the underside of the support plate 70 to yieldingly maintain the plate 70 in the uppermost position of FIG. 6. An an alternate arrangement for the carriage C, the plungers 76, 77 may be omitted and replaced by a spring 85 and post both shown in broken lines in FlG. 6. The spring 85 urges the support plate 70 upwardly into the uppermost nailing position and the post 90 serves as a limit stop for the plate 70 in the lowermost nailing position.

in the practice of the method of the invention using the novel apparatus of the invention, the platform I is moved to the desired location on the wheels 29 by a suitable pulling unit such as a truck. This location may be the construction site of a building such as an apartment, office building or a housing project. With the platform P supported on the wheels 29 in a substantially horizontal position as shown in FIG. 2, the stud members 44 are positioned in the brackets 47 and the plate members 42, 43 clamped in an assembled condition with the studs 44 by adjustable movement of the clamping members 49 in the slots 41.

With the nailing guns 71 supported on the carriages C and connected to an associated source of fluid pressure, each carriage C is moved along the tracks 53 by an operator or by a pair of operators moving both of the carriages C simultaneously to move the nailing guns 71 successively into a nailing position adjacent each of the joints 46. The nailing gun is then actuated by the operator at each nailing position to drive nails into the joints. At each nailing position adjacent the joints 46, the operator may also move the nailing gun 71 from the elevated position of FIG. 6, in which a nail is driven into the joint 46, downwardly in the direction of the arrow 1 against the urging action of the springs 81, 82 thereby driving a plurality of nails in vertically spaced relationship in each of the joints 46. When the nailing of all of the joints 46 is completed, the frame F may then be removed from the platform P and the operation repeated to form similar frames or adjustments may be made in the clamping members 49 for nailing frames of a different size and/or type.

it can be see that there has been provided with the novel method and apparatus of the invention a means for high-speed production of prefabricated building sections in a wide variety of type and sizes. The apparatus of the invention is extremely simple and inexpensive in construction so as to be of low cost and as a result of its portability may be easily moved from job site to job site thus eliminating the transportation cost common to prefabricated building sections today. Furthermore, the apparatus of the invention requires the use of only relatively unskilled labor both in the assembly of the elements into a structural frame for nailing as well as in the manipulation of a nailing gun of the conventional fluid-pressure operated type. Furthermore, the nailing of the frame joints is accomplished in a highly accurate manner and the carriages incorporated in the apparatus of the invention for supporting the nailing gun may be easily manipulated to drive nails in a plurality of vertically spaced nailing position in each of the joints.

While there has been described what at present is considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for nailing an assembly of frame elements comprising, in combination, a substantially rectangular support platform having a pair of side edges and a pair of end edges, means on the upper surface of said support platform for positioning the structural elements of a frame in an assembled condition with joints for nailing, track means supported on said platform adjacent both of said side edges in substantially parallel relationship therewith, a carriage guidably supported on each of said track means for movement adjacent to the associated edge portion of said assembled elements, and a nailing device supported on each of said carriages for positioning in nailing relationship with the joints in said associated edge portion by movement of said carriage on said track means.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including wheeled means for supporting said platform in a substantially horizontal position to permit movement of said platform to a selected location.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including wheels on said carriage for rolling engagement with said track means, a vertically movable support plate on said carriage for supporting said nailing device, stop means on said carriage, means on said carriage for yieldingly urging said support plate vertically upwardly into an uppennost position in engagement with said stop means, said support plate being movable downwardly by an operator against said urging means to position said nailing device in a plurality of vertically spaced nailing positions adjacent each of said joints.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said carriage includes a baseplate, an upstanding support bracket mounted on said baseplate, means for pivotally mounting said support plate on said support racket for said vertical movement, and wherein said stop means includes an upstanding end plate mounted on said baseplate in spaced relationship with said support bracket, said end plate having a portion engageable with said support plate in said uppermost position, and wherein said urging means comprises spring means mounted on said baseplate for yieldingly urging said support plate into said uppermost position and means on the upper surface of said support plate for positioning said nailing device on said support plate.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said assembled frame elements include a pair of longitudinally extending plate members and a plurality of transversely extending stud members and wherein said positioning means include a row of pairs of upstanding brackets arranged in uniformly spaced relationship along each of said support platform side edges for positioning said stud members in spaced parallel relationship and longitudinally spaced clamping means adjustably mounted on said platform adjacent said side edges for positioning said plate members in assembled relationship with said stud members to form said joints.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said nailing device comprises a fluid-pressure operated nailing gun for manual actuation by an operator and flexible conduit means connected to said gun for communicating said gun with an associated source of fluid pressure and to permit movement of said nailing gun supported on said carriage along said track means.

7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including wheeled means for supporting said platform in a substantially horizontal position to permit movement of said platform to a selected location for use and wherein said track means include a longitudinally extending track supported on said platform ad- 5 jacent each of said side edges in parallel relationship therewith and wherein a carriage is positioned on each of said tracks for guided movement thereon, each of said carriages including a baseplate, a plurality of wheels mounted on said baseplate for rolling engagement with said track, an upstanding support bracket mounted on said baseplate, an upstanding end plate mounted on said baseplate in spaced relationship with said support bracket, a stop portion on said end plate, a support plate, means for pivotally mounting said support plate on said support bracket for engagement with said stop portion in an uppermost position, spring means on said baseplate for yieldingly urging said support plate vertically upward into engagement with said stop portion at said uppermost position, a fluid pressure operated nailing gun positioned on said support plate for manual actuation by an operator and flexible conduit means connected to said gun for communicating said gun with an associated source of fluid pressure.

8. A method of nailing an assembly of frame elements comprising the steps of, providing a substantially rectangular support platform, positioning a plurality of frame elements on the upper surface of said support platform in an assembled condition with joints, retaining said frame elements on said platform upper surface in said assembled condition, providing (a) at least two nailing devices for driving nails into said joints, supporting each of said nailing devices on a track adjacent to said platform for guided movement adjacent the edge portions of said assembled elements having said joints, moving said guidably supported nailing device successively into nailing positions adjacent each of said joints and activating said nailing device at each of said nailing positions to nail said elements together at each of said joints.

9. A method in accordance with claim 8 wherein said support platform is provided with wheels for supporting said platform in a substantially horizontal position and including the step of moving said platform on said wheels to a selected location for use.

10. A carriage for supporting a nailing gun comprising, in combination, a baseplate, a plurality of freely rotatable wheels mounted on said baseplate for rolling engagement with a supporting surface, an upstanding support bracket mounted on said baseplate, a vertically movable support plate mounted on said support bracket for accommodating a nailing gun actuated by an operator, stop means mounted on said base plate, means for yielding urging said support plate vertically upward into an uppermost position in engagement with said stop means, said support plate being movable downwardly by an operator against said urging means to position said nailing gun in a plurality of vertically spaced nailing positions. 

1. Apparatus for nailing an assembly of frame elements comprising, in combination, a substantially rectangular support platform having a pair of side edges and a pair of end edges, means on the upper surface of said support platform for positioning the structural elements of a frame in an assembled condition with joints for nailing, track means supported on said platform adjacent both of said side edges in substantially parallel relationship therewith, a carriage guidably supported on each of said track means for movement adjacent to the associated edge portion of said assembled elements, and a nailing device supported on each of said carriages for positioning in nailing relationship with the joints in said associated edge portion by movement of said carriage on said track means.
 2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including wheeled means for supporting said platform in a substantially horizontal position to permit movement of said platform to a selected location.
 3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including wheels on said carriage for rolling engagement with said track means, a vertically movable support plate on said carriage for supporting said nailing device, stop means on said carriage, means on said carriage for yieldingly uring said support plate vertically upwardly into an uppermost position in engagement with said stop means, said support plate being movable downwardly by an operator against said urging means to position said nailing device in a plurality of vertically spaced nailing positions adjacent each of said joints.
 4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said carriage includes a baseplate, an upstanding support bracket mounted on said baseplate, means for pivotally mounting said support plate on said support racket for said vertical movement, and wherein said stop means includes an upstanding end plate mounted on said baseplate in spaced relationship with said support bracket, said end plate having a portion engageable with said support plate in said uppermost position, and wherein said urging means comprises spring means mounted on said baseplate for yieldingly urging said support plate into said uppermost position and means on the upper surface of said support plate for positioning said nailing device on said support plate.
 5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said assembled frame elements include a pair of longitudinally extending plate members and a plurality of transversely extending stud members and wherein said positioning means include a row of pairs of upstanding brackets arranged in uniformly spaced relationship along each of said support platform side edges for positioning said stud members in spaced parallel relationship and longitudinally spaced clamping means adjustably mounted on said platform adjacent said side edges for positioning said plate members in assembled relationship with said stud members to form said joints.
 6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said nailing device comprises a fluid-pressure operated nailing gun for manual actuation by an operator and flexible conduit means connected to said gun for communicating said gun with an associated source of fluid pressure and to permit movement of said nailing gun supported on said carriage along said track means.
 7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 including wheeled means for supporting said platform in a substantially horizontal position to permit movement of said platform to a selected location for use and wherein said track means include a longitudinally extending track supported on said platform adjacent each of said side edges in parallel relationship therewith and wherein a carriage is positioned on each of said tracks for guided movement thereon, each of said carriages including a baseplate, a plurality of wheels mounted on said baseplate for rolling engagement with said track, an upstanding support bracket mounted on said baseplate, an upstanding end plate mounted on said baseplate in spaced relationship with said support bracket, a stop portion on said end plate, a support plate, means for pivotally mounting said support plate on said support bracket for engagement with said stop portion in an uppermost position, spring means on said baseplate for yieldingly urging said support plate vertically upward into engagement with said stop portion at said uppermost position, a fluid pressure operated nailing gun positioned on said support plate for manual actuation by an operator and flexible conduit means connected to said gun for communicating said gun with an associated source of fluid pressure.
 8. A method of nailing an assembly of frame elements comprising the steps of, providing a substantially rectangular support platform, positioning a plurality of frame elements on the upper surface of said support platform in an assembled condition with hoints, retaining said frame elements on said platform upper surface in said assembled condition, providing (a) at least two nailing devices for driving nails into said joints, supporting each of said nailing devices on a track adjacent to said platform for guided movement adjacent the edge portions of said assembled elements having said joints, moving said guidably supported nailing device successively into nailing positions adjacent each of said joints and activating said nailing device at each of said nailing positions to nail said elements together at each of said joints.
 9. A method in accordance with claim 8 wherein said support platform is provided with wheels for supporting said platform in a substantially horizontal position and including the step of moving said platform on said wheels to a selected location for use.
 10. A carriage for supporting a nailing gun comprising, in combination, a baseplate, a plurality of freely rotatable wheels mounted on said baseplate for rolling engagement with a supporting surface, an upstanding support bracket mounted on said baseplate, a vertically movable support plate mounted on said support bracket for accommodating a nailing gun actuated by an operator, stop means mounted on said base plate, means for yielding urging said support plate vertically upward into an uppermost positiOn in engagement with said stop means, said support plate being movable downwardly by an operator against said urging means to position said nailing gun in a plurality of vertically spaced nailing positions. 